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November 9, 2006

ULM’s "Up ‘til Dawn" program to raise funds for St. Jude hospital Nov. 27-29

ULM’s "Up ‘til Dawn" program will conduct its latest fund-raiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by wrapping Christmas presents Nov. 27-29 in the Quad.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe has hosted "Up 'til Dawn" events on campus for several years, and they encourage organization to get involved. Each team fundraises through a letter-writing event, where each person writes 50 letters to friends and family. Recipients have an opportunity to send a donation directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

At the most recent letter-writing event, at least 200 individuals participated and sent out over 7,000 letters.

ULM’s team raised almost $20,000 in 2005. This year, their goal is to raise $50,000 in honor of Jake Owen Rabon, a local St. Jude patient who earned his angel wings on Oct. 5.

“He taught many to believe in hope and the power to help others in need,” said Jenifer Armstrong, assistant coordinator of spirit groups. ”We believe that by participating in Up 'til Dawn, we can do just that.”

The group will host the "Up ‘til Dawn" Finale during Spring Fever Week at ULM. That fund-raiser involves a carnival atmosphere and is open to ULM students, faculty and staff, as well as the community. After the gate entry fee, participants may play as long as they like. A silent auction also occurs during the event.

According to the St. Jude website, this student-led and run fundraiser is hosted by over 150 colleges and universities nationwide to help the children benefited by the hospital.

It takes at least $1 million a day to run St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Also according to the website, no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital built America's third-largest health-care charity, with a model that keeps the costs down and the funds flowing, so the science never stops.

“We at the University of Louisiana at Monroe are proud to be able to help such a tremendous charity,” said Armstrong.

To find out more about ULM's "Up 'til Dawn" program, contact Jenifer Armstrong at jarmstrong@ulm.edu.

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